Revolutionary Communication System Uses Smells to Send Messages

It all started two centuries ago with a slick invention that we know as the telegraph. Then the telephone came into our lives and made it possible for us to communicate through sounds over great distances. Nowadays, some mobile telephones are even able of audio-video communication, while Japanese people are experimenting with some fragrance emitting devices that promise to revolutionize the way we communicate.

In 2005, Fragrant Communication developed a device that was able to emit a series of smells according to the mood of a particular person. Now, the same company has released a new service called Mobile Fragrance Communication, through which customers may download fragrances that can be used with the cellular telephones developed by NTT Communications.

The device developed by Fragrant Communications is linked to the cellular phone through an infrared connection. By combining different essences, the fragrance vase-device is able to produce several aromas, which can be released automatically in the house through a telephone service called Service Gateway.

From 10 to 20 April, NTT is running a pilot test for the technology. In a previous test, NTT experimented with the first molecular communication system, although several other companies were also working on similar biochip designs. NTT wants to create a system that is able to send information related to the biochemical properties of living being, such as emotions, stress and even disease. The company used synthetic DNA and chemically-energized proteins such as those found in muscles and nerve cells.

The substances have the ability to move on their own, thus converting chemical energy into mechanical energy. The communication system did not require any power source, and could be used in the future development of biochemical analyzers or of a microchip capable of biological and chemical analysis. One day, the same system could be able to analyze a drop of blood or even sweat, in order to determine whether the subject is healthy or not.